Folk Songs for Solo Singers, Vol. 2: High Voice Book & Online Audio

Fourteen folk standards arranged by three of Alfred's most reliable vocal writers means you get consistent quality across the collection and genuine variety in style. The online audio accompaniments let singers hear the complete performance before learning their part, then provide a secure piano track for solo practice and performance.

This collection draws you into the direct emotional language of folk music: longing and labor, wandering and home, resilience and joy. Each arrangement honors the simplicity of these melodies while adding harmonic depth and pianistic interest that elevates them for concert performance.

High voice soloists preparing recital repertoire, whether for auditions, competitions, or personal performance. Students and adults who want accessible, singable material with professional arrangements and built-in accompaniment support.

• Listen to the recorded accompaniment first to absorb the piano part's character and phrasing, then use the audio during practice sessions to build confidence and accuracy before performing live.
• Pay attention to the arrangers' tempo markings and dynamic indications in each song; folk songs are simple in melody but gain their power from intentional shaping and storytelling.
• Vary your vocal production between songs: some ballads like Shenandoah and The Water Is Wide demand sustained, intimate tone work, while pieces like Camptown Races and Old Dan Tucker need rhythmic clarity and character.

Build a recital entirely from these songs, grouping them thematically (spirituals, work songs, love songs) to create a coherent narrative arc. Select individual pieces to balance a program mixing classical art songs and more contemporary material, or use them in a folk-themed collaborative concert with other ensembles.

• Legit storytelling through folk song interpretation
• Balancing simplicity with emotional depth in familiar melodies
• Following piano accompaniment and responding to harmonic support
• Sustaining vocal tone in ballads while maintaining clarity in rhythmic pieces
• Performing from memory or score with confidence in recital contexts